Apparel

Three City Sports stores are being given a new lease on life.

Modell’s Sporting Goods has acquired three prime Northeast locations from City Sports, which filed for bankruptcy protection in October 2015 and subsequently announced plans to close all its stores. Beginning in early 2016, the stores, which range from 7,500 sq. ft. - 9,000 sq. ft. and are located in Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, D.C., will start to transition to the Modell’s format.

Abercrombie & Fitch elevated the head of its Hollister brand to the newly created role of president and chief merchandising officer after announcing the departure of another top executive.

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, especially during the season to be jolly, but I’m a realist. And though I wish happy holidays for all, I must tell mall retailers to steel themselves for another disappointing holiday season. Deloitte is expecting seasonal sales growth of 3.5% to 4% this year, ahead of inflation but below the 5.2% growth of last year — but don’t expect malls and department stores to see that growth. A disproportionate share of holiday sales will go to the humble discount stores, far away from the fancier shopping centers.

Levis Strauss & Co. has named a new leader with experience at Nike, Petco and Target to drive growth at its 2,700 unit global retail division.

Levi Strauss & Co. said Carrie Ask will join the company on Feb. 16, 2016 as executive vice president and president of global retail. She fills a position that has been vacant since June when Craig Nomura resigned after just 16 months with the company. Ask will report directly to Chip Bergh, president and CEO of the $4.8 billion global apparel company.

Houston --

Steel City Pops has leased 3,710-sq. ft. of retail space in Heights Plaza, a specialty retail center. Kyle Knight with the Houston office of The Weitzman Group handled negotiations as tenant representative for Steel City Pops.

Heights Plaza, a project of Houston developer Radom Capital, represents the redevelopment of a historic retail property that is home to several Texas-based concepts, including Bird’s Barbershop.

Westfield Corp. announced Monday it has sold five of its U.S. shopping malls — totaling more than 6 million sq. feet of retail space across four states — to help fund a property development program. The move is line with the company’s recent strategy to focus on its flagship assets, which include the new World Trade Center mall, due to open in spring 2016.

Mahwah, N.J. – It took close to a year, but Ann Inc., owner of the Ann Taylor and Loft banners, has followed the wishes of major shareholders including Engine Capital LP and Red Alder LLC and agreed to an approximate $2.15 billion buyout from specialty apparel rival Ascena Retail Group Inc. Ascena, whose store brands include Lane Bryant and Dressbarn, will acquire Ann Inc. for $47 in cash and stock per share, a 21% premium over Ann Inc.’s May 15 closing price.

Forever 21 is growing its its lower-priced format, F21 RED.

The chain has opened three new stores, with locations in Brooklyn, New York; San Diego, California and Kendall, Florida. The Brooklyn store is 35,000 sq. ft., while the San Diego and Kendall locations are more than 20,000 sq. ft.

Forever 21 launched F21 RED, which carries merchandise for men, women and children, in the first quarter of 2014. There are currently more than 20 F21 locations in the United States.